These new bylaws were approved by the members at our April 15, 2009 meeting.

CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS OF THE MARBLEHEAD GARDEN CLUB

Article 2 –Purpose. The Marblehead Garden Club, founded in 1926, is a volunteer organization dedicated to the care and cultivation of the historically inspired gardens surrounding the Jeremiah Lee Mansion, one of America's premier high-style revolutionary era homes. United by a love of gardening, education and community service, the club is also committed to self-sustaining organic gardening.

Article 3- Membership
1. The membership of the MGC will consist of four categories: Active, Associate, Honorary and Non-resident.
(a) Active membership will be limited to sixty persons. Active members are expected to attend at least five meetings annually. Active members are required to pay annual dues and are entitled to vote.
(b) Associate membership will be limited to twenty persons who were formerly Active members of the MGC for a period of at least ten years and whose change in status is approved by the Executive Board. Associate membership shall be by written request. Should Associate members desire, they may return to Active membership when there is a vacancy. Associate members must attend at least one meeting annually. Associate members are required to pay annual dues and may be asked to participate in MGC activities and are entitled to vote.
(c) Honorary membership will be voted by the MGC upon recommendation of the Executive Board, and may be granted to members who have given outstanding service to horticulture. Honorary members are not required to attend meetings, will be exempt from paying dues and are not entitled to vote. Honorary membership will be limited to 5 persons.
(d) Non-resident members are former members who move out of the immediate area and therefore are unable to fulfill the requirements of Active or Associate membership but wish to remain affiliated with the MGC. There will be no limit to the number of non-resident members. Non-resident members shall pay reduced annual dues. Attendance at meetings is not required.
2. The annual dues will be payable at the Annual Meeting, an amount to be decided by the Executive Board and approved by the membership. If dues are not received by the first of January following the Annual meeting, the membership will be terminated.
3. A nomination for membership will be made in writing to the Membership Chair by two members.
4. Nominations will be considered by the Executive Board and the names of the nominees and their sponsors shall be presented in writing to the membership. Absentees will be sent the list of nominees by mail. The acceptable nominees will be voted on by written ballot at the following general meeting. A majority of the members present will be sufficient to elect new members.
5. Reinstatement of past members; At any time during a club year, a letter of intent to rejoin from a past member along with a letter of recommendation from a current member of the club may be submitted to the Board. Upon review by the board, the member is reinstated as an active member.

Article 4- Officers and Directors
1. The Officers of the MGC shall be President, Vice President, Recording Secretary, Corresponding Secretary, Treasurer and Assistant Treasurer.
(a) The President’s term of office will be for one year. The President will preside at all meetings and appoint standing and special committees. The President may appoint any member to fill a vacancy on the Executive Board until an election can be held.
(b) The Vice President’s term of office will be for one year. The Vice President will preside in the absence of the President and will assume the presidency if the position becomes vacant. The Vice President will be chairman of the Program Committee.
(c) The Recording Secretary’s term of office will be for two consecutive years.
(d) The Corresponding Secretary’s term of office will be for two consecutive years.
(e) The Treasurer’s term of office will be for a minimum of two consecutive years.
(f) The Assistant Treasurer’s term of office will be for a minimum of two consecutive years
2. Three Directors will serve a maximum of three consecutive years. The term of each Director will be staggered to create a revolving group.

Article 5-Executive Board
1. The Executive Board will consist of the Officers and the Directors. The term of the Executive Board will commence with the Annual Meeting.
2. The Executive Board will be responsible for the day-to-day business of the MGC.

Article 6-Committees
1. The Standing committees of the MGC are Auditing, Conservation, Archives, Horticulture, Hostesses, Lee Mansion Garden Advisory, Membership, Newsletter, Nominating, Photographer, Plant Sale, Publicity, Remembrance and Web Page. Additional Ad Hoc committees will be appointed at the discretion of the President. For example; a Historian will be appointed to compile a ten year history every decade anniversary of the club. The Executive Board will define the duties of these committees.
2. Prior to the April meeting, the President will appoint a Nominating committee consisting of the retiring Director, and one non-Board member. The proposed Executive Board will be presented and voted at the May meeting.

Article 7-Meetings
1. Regular meetings of the MGC will be held on the third Wednesday of each month unless rescheduled by vote of the Executive Board.
2. The Annual Meeting will be held on the third Wednesday of October following the regular monthly meeting, at which annual reports are presented and the new Executive Board is installed.
3. Ten (10) members present at any meeting shall constitute a quorum. Business shall be transacted with a simple majority of those members.
4. At the May meeting, the Operating Budget and the names of the proposed Executive Board for the upcoming year will be presented. 5. At the June meeting, the Annual Meeting, annual reports will be presented, the new Executive Board will be installed and the Operating Budget will be voted by membership. It should be noted that if any expenditure exceeds the approved budgeted amount during the year, the Executive Board must be notified and approval must be given pursuant to Article 7, paragraph 3.

Article 8-Amendments
These CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS may be amended by a two-thirds vote of those present at a regular meeting. Notice of any proposed changes to these By-Laws must be presented at a previous regular meeting and sent to the absentees at least two weeks prior to the meeting at which voting will occur.